Democracy requires that MPs are connected with their constituents, explaining their work to them and ensuring that constituents’ needs are represented. In Djibouti, one of the hottest and smallest countries in Africa, the IPU has been helping with that two-way exchange of information, connecting parliament with the people. First, it has enabled Djibouti’s parliamentarians to […]
In a statement released on twitter on 25 March, IPU President Duarte Pacheco said, “I strongly condemn the recently passed law in Uganda making it a crime identifying as gay, and imposes severe sentences, which includes in certain cases the the death penalty. This is an absolute disregard for human rights, a value that the IPU […]
At the 146th IPU Assembly in Manama, Bahrain this week, the IPU welcomed back the Liberian Parliament to its global parliamentary community. With the return of Liberia, IPU Membership now stands at 179 National Parliaments worldwide, with all African countries now represented.* Liberia was one of the nine founding members of the IPU along with Belgium, Britain, […]
Statement by the IPU Gender Partnership Group The IPU firmly believes that the equitable participation of women in politics is essential for strong democracies and for sustainable development. We stand in support of women’s political participation and representation in Nigeria, in the lead-up to elections to the National Assembly on 25 February 2023. However, we are […]
2022 was a turbulent year as the world felt the impacts of climate change and a new war in Europe with global repercussions, including a sharp spike in energy and food costs. Nevertheless, democracy pressed on, with scores of elections reshaping the future for millions of people worldwide. This year looks set to be just […]
A new law in Sierra Leone will ensure that at least 30% of parliamentarians are women and impose similar quotas in other institutions, including government, local councils, the diplomatic corps and the civil service. The Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act was signed into law by President Julius Maada Bio on 19 January, a few […]
On the eve of Human Rights Day, the IPU has released its annual global snapshot of the situation of threatened parliamentarians. A record number of 739 parliamentarians from 44 countries all over the world suffered violations of their fundamental rights this year. The 2022 figures represent an increase of nearly 10% compared to 2021 (673 MPs in 44 countries). They confirm a […]
The IPU condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence that took place in the Senegal National Assembly this week, committed by two parliamentarians, Mr. Yewi Askanwi and Mr. Moustapha Sy, against a pregnant parliamentarian, Ms. Gniby Amy Ndiaye. Any physical attack on a parliamentarian or between parliamentarians is totally unacceptable, regardless of what is […]
The annual COP conference is the most important international gathering on climate change. It convenes leaders, policymakers, scientists and civil society from around the globe to identify joint solutions to advance climate action. The Parliamentary Meeting to be held on the occasion of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties of the United […]
There is no longer any doubt: developing countries are paying the price for human-induced climate change, despite being the least responsible for it. Some sources estimate that the Global North is responsible for 92% of excess historic global CO2 emissions. And yet, 55 of the most climate-vulnerable countries suffered economic losses totalling more than half a trillion […]
